06. 12. 2024.
The Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Dialogue has published information about non-working days for the New Year's holidays and the religious holiday of Christmas for employees of the Orthodox faith.
NON-WORKING DAYS FOR NEW YEAR
According to the Law on National and Other Holidays ("Official Gazette of Montenegro," No. 027/07, 036/13, 145/21, 003/23, 030/23), New Year is celebrated for two days:
NON-WORKING DAYS FOR CHRISTMAS
According to the Law on the Celebration of Religious Holidays ("Official Gazette of Montenegro," No. 056/93, 027/94, 073/10), Orthodox believers are entitled to paid leave to celebrate the religious holiday of Christmas, specifically:
EMPLOYERS’ OBLIGATIONS DURING THE HOLIDAYS
All employers planning to organize work during the holidays have specific legal obligations:
1. NOTIFY THE LABOR INSPECTION
Employers are required to notify the Labor Inspection in advance about their work arrangements during the holidays. Attached is a form to be sent to the email address: milodarka.kuveljic@mrzs.gov.me.
2. NOTIFY EMPLOYEES
Employers must inform employees about their work schedule during the holidays via a notice board.
3. INCREASE SALARIES
Employees working during national and religious holidays must receive a base hourly wage increased by at least 150%.
4. ORGANIZATION OF WORK IN RETAIL STORES
Retail stores may operate only during religious holidays but not during national holidays.
WHO IS ALLOWED TO WORK DURING HOLIDAYS?
Certain activities are exempt from the general prohibition on work and may operate during the holiday, provided they send an official notice to the Administration for Inspection Affairs. These are:
1) Pharmacies
2) Specialized stores or kiosks selling bread, bakery products, cakes, flowers, souvenirs, newspapers, plant protection products, or funeral equipment
3) Gas stations and retail stores within gas stations
4) Markets
5) Stands- stalls, showcases, and vending machines outside markets
6) Stores, kiosks, and vending machines located within the enclosed areas of bus and train stations, airports, and ports
7) Stalls and kiosks selling goods during events, festivals, fairs, and public screenings of cinematographic works
8) Wholesale trade warehouses
In addition to commercial entities, hospitality establishments can also organize work on state holidays.
State authorities, local self-government bodies, public institutions, public companies and other entities performing activities of public interest must ensure uninterrupted work during public holidays the interruption of which could cause harmful consequences for citizens or the state.
Attached are notification forms for employees and the Labor Inspection.
